The Pentecostal movement is by far the largest and most important religious movement to originate in the United States [1]. This movement began in 1901 with only a handful of students in a Bible School in Topeka, Kansas, the number of Pentecostals increased steadily throughout the world during the Twentieth Century until by 1993 they had become the largest family of Protestants in the world [1].
The Church was started by Clarke Taylor who had a vision for the movement he had called Australia for Christ [2]. Clarke was born in Queensland in 1937 and was a farmer [2]. Clarke began his church in his house with 25 adults in 1974 [2].This movement has now become a huge denomination which is all around the world.
The beliefs of Citipointe Church are that Jesus died on the cross for our sins so now we have eternal life [2]. They also believe in having a personal relationship with Jesus and operating in the gifts of the spirit [2]. The Citipointe Church service is not a traditional service and it doesn’t incorporate the use of old hymns, it is based on the teachings of the bible.
When I arrived at Citipointe church I was nicely greeted at the front door by church volunteers who made me feel very welcome. Firstly the service started with praise and worship time which was conducted by a live band. The live band that played consisted of guitar players, a keyboard player, a drummer, a lead singer and quite a few backup singers. The music that was played was very modern and upbeat. The church also has a few albums which have been released by the musicians in the church.
The Church has an oversight committee which is made up of the senior pastors of Citipointe Church, their job is to oversee the decisions made and agree with them. There is also an operations board which oversees financial affairs, polices and property management of the COC movement. These are kept separate to ensure the integrity of the mission, vision and finances of the organization is achieved. There is a national chairman which is David McDonald and there is a regular chairman which is Mark Ramsey [2].
After praise and worship tithes and offerings were taken. Preaching was then given and scriptures were used to support the message. The message was simple but had a very strong and powerful meaning. The service was then concluded with more praise and worship time. There is also communion which takes place once a month.
Citipointe Church has fifteen pastors and every Sunday there is a different pastor which addresses the Church [2]. Sometimes the Church invites famous speakers to come and preach. The Church is very modern and is up with the new technology.
Citipointe church offers a few services for various people such as children, teenagers and adults. However there are also an Afrikaans service and a Mandarin service. During the service there is continuous prayer to God, because the Church believes that as a Christian the most important thing is to have a relationship with God and in order to have that you have to be able to communicate to him [2].
References:
[1] Synan, V. (2006). The Origins of the Pentecostal Movement. Accessed from: http://www.oru.edu/university/library/holyspirit/pentorg1.html on 13 June 2010.
[2] Fajzullin, S. A member of Citipointe Church, 2 May 2010.
